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Eskan Village Lifestyle
This page should give you a pretty good picture of our living conditions here.
Living Quarters
All villas have been or are in the process of being renovated. Each villa has five bedrooms. One bedroom has a private bathroom with tub and shower. The two bedrooms near the entry have a bathroom with shower nearby. The two bedrooms in the back of the villa have a bathroom with tub and shower nearby. Each villa has a free washing machine and dryer.
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On the roof of each villa are tables and chairs for relaxing or entertaining. There is also a barbecue located on the roof. Some of the villas have a canvas-type top laid over a large part of the roof to serve as protection from the sun and the very occasional rainfall.
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Each bedroom is equipped with a television. Each living room area has an entertainment center with a television and VCR, a couch and matching chair along with end tables and lamps. The kitchens have a full size stove, refrigerator, microwave oven and 5 gallon water cooler.
Self-service Store (The "Free Store")
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This store provides free laundry detergent, five-gallon bottles of water, light bulbs, tissue paper and other household cleaning supplies. It's open most days of the week.
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The Mirage Dining Facility
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Located near the medical and dental clinics is the Mirage Dining Facility. The facility is only open to US service members and the food is free of course. Near the Mirage is a basketball court. Also nearby are the volleyball courts, miniature golf course and the Pub. The Pub serves a variety of food. The shwarma, a local sandwich delicacy in pita bread is quite popular. (Think of an Arabian burrito.) There
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is also a Pizza Inn and a Chinese fast food restaurant. For a good sit down meal at a reasonable price, we can dine at the Eskan Community Club.
The Eskan Community Club
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The United States Military Training Mission (USMTM) runs the Eskan Community Club. The facility provides fine dining with an atmosphere. It also has an upstairs dining room for banquets and special events. Occasionally, free traveling entertainment shows perform at the club. In back of the club is the swimming pool. At the rear of the club and facing the swimming pool is a Baskin Robbins. While relaxing at the pool, you can enter the Baskin Robbins and order ice cream or food from the club. There is also a coffee shop nearby in the USMTM mall area. For those who love fresh pastries this is the place to go.
Barber & Beauty Shop
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In the USMTM complex there is both a beautician and barbershop. The beautician will cut male and female hair as well. There is also a barber shop next to the souvenir trailer near the combatant fuel point and motor pool.
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Earn a Degree or Just Take a Course
The Education Center has a full-time staff to help improve ASVAB scores for reenlistment, knock out some college courses, or earn a college degree. Life experience, long distance learning options, Internet, and classes taught at night right here can actually earn you a degree. Full tuition assistance is available, just like any other Army Education Center. Pretty cool huh!! Join the National Guard !! (hehe)
Sports
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The Services Squadron, 320th Air Expeditionary Group, runs a variety of sports programs for individual and team events. Every Saturday there is a 5K or 10K evening Fun Run -- sometimes a special roller blade race, too. The gym area is open 24 hours. We get to work out using free weights and Nautilus machines, treadmills and a wide variety of the latest sports equipment. The squadron also loans athletic equipment including bicycles, basketballs and soccer balls, and roller blades.
Movies
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For the quieter times they also provide free videotapes for viewing in our villas. Some of the movies are recent releases, but availability can be very limited. All free movies are limited to two a day and must be returned by midnight the following day. Occasionally, a free movie will be shown outside the Mirage Dining Facility, adjacent to the basketball court.
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The Pub
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Nightly, the Pub offers various game and activities. Some of the games involve team games such as bingo and dominoes where prizes can be won. For the individual, there are televisions connected to video games. Also available are opportunities to play Ping-Pong and pool, as well as to become involved in miniature race car contests and other events. During the week, there is also a variety of music
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played in the Pub. For those who are short on cash there is always free popcorn available. Except for the food and soft drinks/juices, everything else available is free. Occasionally, there will be free live entertainment on the stage adjacent to the dining facility.
Special Concerts
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Nighttime brings special events including bands coming in from the United States or local bands made up from soldiers, airmen, and civilians on Eskan Village. It all adds up to a special event - both to hear and to share your own musical talents.
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Not Just a Book Shelf!
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The 320th Air Expeditionary Group provides Eskan with a library that has a wide variety of books including references for class work to the latest paperback novels and magazines. They also have CD's and videotapes in their collection. Oh and computers to surf the internet too!
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Saudi Cultural Center
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Saudi is one of the ten largest countries in the world resplendent with a very unique history. We get to experience this culture and learn from Saudi teachers right here at Eskan Village! Camel rides are often available as well as lessons in the Arabic language and dining on an authentic Saudi meal.
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Shopping
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There are several gift shops and sewing shops on Eskan. In a trailer adjacent to the fuel point and motor pool, you can purchase souvenirs unique to the Middle East and North Africa as well as souvenirs from places such as India and Pakistan. Custom embroidery is also available for souvenir items. Next to the trailer are a barbershop, a cleaners and two smaller souvenir shops. In the USMTM area by the pool is a tailor who will custom make shirts, suits pants and coats. There is also a small jewelry store, a novelty shop, and a "shoppe" with coffee shop.
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Bazaars
Bazaars are held at least once a month featuring area merchants and lecturers, except during Ramadan. These merchants bring such things as watches, woodwork, etchings, pottery, carpets, clothes, and novelty items. On the major bazaar days, camels and an occasional horse are brought to Eskan. Near the Cultural Tent is a corral where any and all can get the opportunity to ride the animals free of charge. For many people, this is a great photo opportunity! Inside the tent area, you can sit around and talk with one of the locals about Arabic culture and religion. This is a fine opportunity to sip some soothing tea, eat some dates or raisins, and watch videotapes about the country and culture. Many individuals who enter the tent like to try on the local clothing provided by the host and have their pictures taken. Quite often, the host, known as the "King of the Desert" will bring his pet falcon or serpent.
That's about all I can tell you about Eskan. As you can see, this is quite a fun place to be with lots of stuff to do. When we are not here at Eskan (which for some of us is most of the time), we are busy working. On the whole though, this is an all right place to be I guess...
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Pictures from Rochester · Pictures from Saudi · Eskan Village Lifestyle